Summer heat increases risk of child deaths in hot cars, advocates warn

A scorching heat wave has swept across the East Coast of the United States, bringing record-breaking temperatures as summer kicks off. With the rising heat, child advocates are sounding the alarm about the dangers of heatstroke for children left unattended in hot vehicles.

Tragically, nine children have already lost their lives this year after being left alone in cars in various states including California, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New Mexico, New Jersey, and North Carolina. According to Kids and Car Safety, a total of 38 children on average die each year from heatstroke inside vehicles. Since 1990, over 1,100 children have perished in hot cars in the United States, with another 7,500 surviving with varying degrees of injury.

The Perils of Hot Cars for Kids

Climate change is driving up temperatures and increasing the risk of extreme weather events. However, even on relatively mild days, the interior of a vehicle can heat up rapidly. Kathy Wall, director of Safe Kids Palm Beach County, warns that a car can heat up by 20 degrees in just 20 minutes. This means that on an 80-degree day, the temperature inside a car can surpass 100 degrees within a short period.

Hot car deaths are not limited to a specific time of year, and nearly every state in the country has reported incidents. In both 2018 and 2019, a record 53 children died after being left in hot cars. Within the first 30 minutes of being left unattended, a child in a hot car can experience a rapid increase in internal temperature, with maximum temperatures exceeding 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius).

Children are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses as they sweat less than adults and their bodies heat up at a much faster rate. Captain Karen Derogatis of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue emphasizes the importance of ensuring children are not left in vehicles, especially during rising temperatures.

Recently, a tragic incident in Mansfield, Ohio, resulted in the death of a 5-year-old boy who was left in a hot vehicle.

Preventing Tragedies

Despite the perception that only negligent individuals leave children in hot cars, Kathy Wall stresses that anyone, regardless of background or profession, can make this mistake. Distractions play a significant role in forgetting about a child in the backseat, highlighting the need for routines and reminders.

Establishing routines is crucial in preventing hot car deaths. Wall suggests the “ACT” acronym: Avoid leaving a child unattended in a vehicle, Create a reminder that works for you (such as leaving a personal item in the backseat), and Take immediate action if you see a child in a car by calling 911.

Some modern vehicles come equipped with reminders for drivers to check the backseat for passengers. Captain Derogatis underscores the importance of double-checking the vehicle before locking it, making it a habit to ensure the safety of children and pets.